Nice conversations arose at the Meursinge conference center. Photo: Hugo Faber
Sixteen young people between the ages of 16 and 22 came to the Meursinge conference center last night to tell them what they need to enjoy living in Westerbork. This resulted in quite concrete suggestions that could lead to feasible projects.
The meeting was organized by the Levendig Westerbork and Welzijnswerk Midden-Drenthe foundation. Frank Schröer, village manager and working on the implementation plan Gastvrij Westerbork on behalf of the Levendig Westerbork foundation, is very satisfied with the attendance and input of those present. ,,It was a nice evening with nice conversations and we are glad that so many young people were present. It is an age group that is difficult to reach for such gatherings. They themselves indicate that they do not feel taken seriously. That has to be different. We want to work with young people to keep Westerbork attractive for them too.”
Meeting and living
According to Schröer, the evening resulted in three themes. “Each age group has its own wishes for the village. For example, the youngest youth need events. They are too young to go to the pub, but would like to meet at a fun event. The slightly older youngsters indicate that they want a place to chill out, a place where they can meet each other without being turned away. We would like to bring it to the attention of the municipality, but it is especially important that young people themselves indicate what the place must meet. When adults come up with something, it often leads to a place that is not used. Young people must also take responsibility for it, for example by clearing up rubbish. For people over twenty, the shortage on the housing market plays a major role. They would like to continue living in their village, but see no opportunities there. That’s a bigger problem that isn’t easy to solve, but it does deserve attention.”
Hospitable Westerbork
The ideas are incorporated into a plan. Young people, the municipality of Midden-Drenthe and entrepreneurs in Westerbork then sit down to see how the dreams of young people can be realized. The plan is part of Gastvrij Westerbork, which aims to keep the village lively and attractive for everyone.